Childminder in Kirklees

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY295601 Inspection date 30/09/2008 Inspector Janet Skippins

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.2

Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

p.2

Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

p.2

Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2004. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the Compulsory and Voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two children aged 16 and 12 years. Her mother is registered as an assistant. The family live in a four storey town house in Slaithwaite, with a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. The family has a pet cat. The childminder is registered for six children and is presently caring for four children on the Early Years Register, one child over five years and one over eight years. Children are able to attend on a full or part time basis. As part of the service, the childminder takes and collects children to and from school and provides care during school holidays. She walks and uses a car to transport children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds an Early Years

p.3

Description of the childminding

Childcare National Vocational Qualification Level 3.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a very good knowledge of each child's individual needs and she promotes all aspects of children's welfare and learning with success. There is no written risk assessment in place but children are safe and secure and enjoy learning about their local area and the world around them. She works in close partnership with parents the local school and other organisations, which contributes to ensuring that the needs of all children are very well met. This means that children make good progress, giving their age and ability and starting points. Although the childminder had not completed her self evaluation form at the time of the inspection, she regularly evaluates her service, taking into account the views of children and parents. This results in a service that is responsive to the needs of all users.

p.3

further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.3

further?

 develop the policy about ensuring equality of opportunities to include supporting children with learning difficulties and disablities  develop a system for self evaluation. To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.3

further?

 ensure written risk assessments are conducted and reviewed regularly 14/10/2008

p.3

provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Since the last inspection the childminder's home has been completely re-organised so that children have exclusive use of the ground floor with their own very well equipped play room, complete with kitchen area and easy access across the hallway to a toilet and wash hand basin. This, together with the attendance of relevant training courses demonstrates her positive commitment to continual improvement. She has given attention to the recommendations made at the last inspection and this has resulted in good outcomes for children’s safety. However, there is no formal system for self evaluation. Records, policies and procedures are easily accessible, used appropriately and made available to parents. However, the equal opportunities policy does not fully support inclusion because it does not include the support of children with learning difficulties and disabilities. Parents are

p.4

provision

provided with a useful summary of policies and procedures with clear information about how they can access more detailed documents. Information regarding children's welfare achievements and progress is shared through regular discussion and detailed records, which include well written observations and photographs of children's activity and clearly show the next steps for children’s individual learning. This results in a good partnership with parents. The childminder maintains a close working relationship with the school which the minded children attend. This means she is aware of what children are working on and, with the children’s input, builds this into her plans to extend their learning. She also liaises closely with an organisation which is supporting some of the minded children. This enables her to meet the needs of the children well.

p.4

provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of safeguarding children. She has a clear detailed policy in place and works well with parents and other agencies, ensuring that the welfare and protection of children is her priority. She takes care not to allow people whose suitability has not been checked to have unsupervised contact with the children while being cared for.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are welcomed at the setting. They receive support and affection which results in them feeling confident, motivated, healthy, happy and secure. Their independence is promoted well through easy access of a wide range of labelled resources. The childminder uses her good knowledge and understanding of child development to plan some interesting activities both indoors and out as well as outings for the children. She treats children with equal concern, respecting their individuality and meeting their needs. The children take part in activities appropriate to their different needs and abilities, because the childminder is successful in promoting inclusive provision for them all. Anti-discriminatory practice is actively promoted so that all children feel valued. For example, children take part in activities to help them learn about the Chinese New Year. They explore the area where they live on foot, making good use of local facilities' such as farms, the

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

swimming pool and park. They are taken by car on interesting outings which include a country park where they enjoy the adventure playground, as well as seeing and handling a wide variety of animals. Children are involved in the planning of outings and activities as the childminder asks for their opinion so that they contribute to decision making. This results in flexible, informal plans to allow for spontaneous activities which follow children’s interests. Regular visits to the toy library give This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children the chance to choose toys. These supplement the good range of stimulating and exciting range which children can easily access in their playroom and outdoors. The children enjoy creative activities, such as drawing, gluing and painting. The childminder values children's creativity by praising their efforts and displaying their

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

work on the playroom walls. Very young children are engaged in activities, such as doing jigsaws using large wooden pieces with skilful support from the childminder to extend their play and develop their language. As a result, the children are making good progress towards the Early Learning Goals. School aged children make good relationships with the childminder’s own children. This results in an exiting range of resources and activities being available to them. For example, they experiment with making sounds on a full sized drum kit and develop physical skills as they jump on the large trampoline.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a very clean, safe and secure environment, where they learn how to keep themselves safe, indoors and outdoors, and how to identify potential hazards. However, written risk assessments are not in place and this is a specific legal requirement. Routines, like regular hand washing before eating are in place to help the children learn about health and hygiene. The older children know they must use their own colour coded towel for hand drying, so that infection is not spread. Young children have their nappies changed when needed rather than routinely at set times. The childminder uses a well-written sickness policy to ensure that the children are protected from illness and infection. She has attended first aid training therefore, she is aware of how to care for children in the event of an accident. Accident and medication records are maintained correctly maintained. Children are also developing a good knowledge of the importance of physical activity

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

and fresh air as they walk home from school, choosing to play at the park or in the garden when they arrive at the childminder’s home. The garden has separate areas for older and younger children, so that younger children are at a safe distance from the trampoline, which is only for the use of older children. Younger children develop physical skills as they enjoy playing ball games and using ride on toys. They learn about healthy eating through discussion while enjoying and eating their meals. Eye catching posters showing photographs and words labelling fruit and vegetables are displayed near the table and used to stimulate discussion. Young children are beginning to develop their knowledge of safety and how they can keep themselves and others safe because the childminder gives them gentle reminders, for example, not to stand on chairs or they will fall and hurt themselves. They also practise fire evacuations regularly. The minded children normally behave well and play co-

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

operatively with occasional reminders about sharing toys. The childminder follows her policy on behaviour management using positive strategies to encourage good behaviour. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Good

p.6

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Satisfactory

p.6

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Satisfactory How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

p.8

Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.8